Bullying does not have to be physical. It can consist of any type of behavior that is meant to harass or intimidate another student. Bullying can include oral threats, name calling, stalking or menacing, or harassment. Bullying can also consist of other behaviors that disrupt a student's ability to learn or cause disorder.
Primary school bullying policies cover the behavior conducted on school grounds. However, some schools have extended their policies to certain areas outside the school. Students committing bullying offenses on school buses can often still be punished even though they are not technically on school grounds. Policies can also extend to school-sponsored events and the time immediately before and after school if students are awaiting school-sponsored transport.
Sanctions for bullying depends on how serious the initial incident is and also how often the behavior is repeated. For teasing and oral forms of bullying, the teacher and the parents are usually involved. Warnings usually do not escalate to the administration level unless the behavior persists. However, for more extreme bullying acts, such as physical threats or violence, more drastic action is taken. Depending on the state, physical abuse might require police contact. Schools also retain the option to suspend or even expel a student for committing physical violence against another.
In addition to oral and physical abuse, an increasing number of primary and secondary schools are being required by state law to adopt policies against cyberbullying. According to the Washington Post, currently 13 states require schools to create policies specifically toward cyber bullying. Schools in these states have the right to suspend or even expel students that have been caught using electronic devices to threaten, harm or intimidate other students. The schools are also allowed to consider cyber bullying behavior that occurs outside school hours and off school grounds especially if the result of the bullying disrupts or effects the school life of students.